Dubai: Yet another legendary cricketer in South Africa’s former captain Graeme Smith presented the annual Shyam Bhatia awards to outstanding performer in UAE’s domestic cricket on Saturday night at the Bhatia cricket museum. It was the 15th edition of this award which has always been presented by legends of the game.
The three most prestigious awards for outstanding players in Division one category were bagged by Zeeshan Khan of Abu Dhabi Cricket Council, Adil Riyal of Dubai Cricket Council and Rohan Mustafa of Sharjah Cricket Council. It was a clean sweep by three left-handers.
Speaking to Gulf News, Zeeshan, who captains Multiplex team and is the younger brother of UAE’s star player Khurram Khan, said: “I am really happy to have won this award as I have followed my brother’s path towards performing consistently. I work for Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technology (ADAT) but make sure to play regularly. I must have come into the reckoning after my allround performance bagging five wickets and hitting an unbeaten 73 against Phoenix in Abu Dhabi’s 50 overs tournament.” Zeeshan, like his brother, bats and bowls left arm and hails from Pakistan.
Riyal is Fly Emirates team’s star allrounder. “This is the reward for giving my best in all my matches. In 2013 I had even won a place in the UAE team that played in the ACC Trophy in Nepal. This award will inspire me to achieve more success,” said Riyal, who hails from Sri Lanka and works for Emirates airline.
Mustafa, who represented UAE in the World Cup and works and plays for Phoenix Medicines, said: “I have won this award for my consistent scores in the Bukhatir league. The World Cup experience and this award will further push me to strengthen myself as an allrounder.”
For the two Under 16 cricketers Yodhin Punja of Abu Dhabi and Salah Shakeel of Dubai who emerged as the best in junior cricketers’ category it was a special feeling to receive the trophy from Smith. Punja who is a Grade 10 student of Abu Dhabi Cambridge High School said: “This award will motivate me to work harder on my game. I was among the UAE World Cup 30-member squad and so want to become a good international cricketer soon.”
Shakeel, who is Grade 11 student of Arab Unity School, said: “It was an awesome feeling to receive an award from a great player like Smith. I was in the UAE Under-19 squad and this will inspire me to perform and improve my skills.”
During the award ceremony, Smith showed the video clipping of how he batted with a broken hand in 2009 series against Australia to save a Test match. This video inspired Heena Harish Hotchandani who won the award for the best women cricketer of the year. “It was not only inspiring to receive the award from a great star like Smith, I was also thrilled watch the video showing his determination. I am happy that playing in the corridors of my residence with my brothers helped me in my career to win a top award,” said Heena, who is a Grade 10 student of Our Own English High School and was a member of the UAE women’s team that lifted the GCC Twenty20 Cup in Oman.
